Netflix: Just One Stream For You!By
SwanniWashington, D.C. (September 7, 2011) -- Netflix has launched
a new policy that permits subscribers to only stream one program
at a time, writes Home Media Magazine.

The new policy prevents two or more people who share a Netflix
account in the same household to watch different shows via
streaming at the same time (unless you want to pay considerably
more for the privilege; see below.) This is bad news for subscribers who
own multiple devices in the house that offer Netflix streaming.

Crediting the web site StoptheCap.com, Home Media writes that
the new policy was implemented during the Labor Day weekend.

The new streaming rule could further alienate Netflix
subscribers who are still smarting over the company's new
pricing structure. Starting this month, current Netflix
subscribers can no longer watch streaming and rent DVDs/Blu-ray
movies for the same monthly price of $7.99.

Instead, subscribers who want to stream will have to pay $7.99 a
month, but not be able to rent discs. Likewise, disc renters who
pay $7.99 a month will not be able to stream. To have access to
both options, you will have to pay a minimum of $15.99 a month.

Home Media writes that the new streaming policy will mean
higher prices if you want to steam more than one show at a time.
For instance, if you subscribe to Netflix's 'two discs out at a
time' plan, which is $19.98 a month, you can stream on two
devices; the three-disc plan, which costs $23.98, permits three
streams while the four-disc plan, which costs a whopping $29.98
a month, allows four streams.

Swanni Sez:
CommentaryNetflix seems determined to piss
people off. Does the company have a death wish now? Why else
would it raise prices and restrict streaming viewing at the same
time?

It makes you wonder.

I suspect that Netflix has a grand plan up its sleeves that
might somehow justify this mysterious behavior. But until I see
it, it looks like the company is hell bent to shoot itself in
the foot.

Make that both feet.

Swanni is Phillip Swann, president and publisher
of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications
and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The
New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The
Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He
can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.

Click TVPredictions.comto read more news and features on TV
technology.___________________________________________________________________